Adhesive tape dispenser



Dec. 3, 1957 N. L. THOMPSON 2,815,125

ADHESIVE vTAPE DISPENSER Filed Nov. 14, 1955 LEE. 1

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United States ilatent 2,815,125 Annrsrvn TAPE DISPENSER Norman L. Thompson, Garden City, Mich. Application November 14, 1955, Serial No. 546,577

6 Claims. (Cl. 20G- 59) This invention relates to an improved adhesive tape holder, and, more particularly, to an adhesive tape holder provided with a tape cutting device to facilitate the dispensing of the tape.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an 'adhesive tape holder which is provided with means operatively associated with a tape spool, for assisting in cutting a desired length of tape from the tape roll, and for leaving a tab-like end portion of the tape extending from the roll, in a position free of the roll, so that it can be easily grasped for removing the next desired length of tape.

It is another object of this invention to provide an irnproved cutting means adapted to be mounted directly upon a tape spool or reel, so as to be movably mounted thereon, without requiring any extensive changes in the construction of the present type tape spools, and, whereby, the tape may be easily unwound and cut at any desired point.

It is a further object of the invention to provide lan irnproved adhesive tape reel provided with a cutting means movably mounted thereon, which is adapted to be economical of manufacture, simple and compact in construction, and highly eicient in operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tape cutting device adapted to `be easily and quickly snapped in place on a tape reel, whereby, a desired length of tape may be easily and quickly removed from the roll, without marring the surface of the tape or hurting the operators hand.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide as an article of manufacture, a tape reel comprising a hub member, a head member fixedly mounted on each end of the hub member, an annular groove in each of said head members, a roll of tape carried on said hub member, and a cutting and guiding device slidably mounted in said grooves, and adapted for guiding and cutting lengths of tape from said roll.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specication where in like reference numerals designate corresponding parts of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of an adhesive tape reel made in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, elevational sectional view of the structure illustrated in Fig. l, taken along the line 2-2 thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. l, taken in the direction of the line marked 3;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, elevational sectional View slmilar to Fig. 2, of `an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the slidable tape cutting device of the invention; and,

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Fig. 6 is a perspective View of another embodiment of a tape cutting device made in accordance with the principles of the invention.

Before explaining in detail the present invention, it is to be understood, that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not limitation.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the hub of an adhesive tape spool or reel which is adapted to carry on the outer ends thereof a pair of spaced apart, xedly mounted head members 12 and 14. The hub 10 and head members 12 and 14 may be made from any suitable material, as a plastic, sheet metal, or the like. The peripheral edges of the head members 12 and 14 are rolled over, to provide a peripheral bead thereon, las lo and 18, respectively, as shown in Fig. 2. A conventional cover member 19 may be snapped on the spool in the usual sidewise manner, so as to cover the space between the head members, in a conventional manner.

As is shown in Figs. l and 2, the head members l2 and 14 are provided with an annular, outwardly extending groove, as 22 and 24, respectively, in which is slidably mounted a cutting device, generally designated as 26. The device 26 is adapted for guiding any desired length of the tape roll 20 otf the tape spool, and for cutting the tape to the desired length.

As shown in Fig, 5, the cutting device, generally designated as 26, comprises a substantially vertical leg or back wall 28, which is provided with outwardly extended arms 30, which are adapted to be slidably mounted in the grooves 22 and 24 of the head members 12 and 1d, respectively. The back wall 28 is slightly curved so as to match the curvature of the grooves 22 and 24. The back wall 28 is provided with a horizontal aperture 32, through which the tape is adapted to slide and be guided off the roll of tape 20. As is shown in Fig. l, the end of the tape is pulled outwardly and the non-adhesive side of the tape is adapted to slide under the forwardly extended, horizontal arm 36 of the cutting device 26. When the desired length of tape has been removed, the tape is brought upwardly into engagement with the sharp toothed edge 38 of the horizontal arrn 36 of the cutting device 26. As shown in Fig. 5, the upper surface of the cutting device may be knurled, as indicated by the numeral 4d, or roughened by any suitable method, to prevent slippage of the operators thumb on said surface when directing the operation of the cutting device. The vertical back wall 28 of the cutting device 26 is provided with a U- shaped opening 42 which is adapted to make it easier for the operator to get his finger under the free edge of the tape, when it is desired to remove a length of tape from the tape roll 20.

In the operation of the invention, the operator would grasp the end 34 of the tape, and pull the tape outwardly, and, as this action progresses, the cutting device 26 will slide in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l. If the reel is held stationary, the cutting device 26 will slide around in the grooves 22 and 24. However, if the operator grasps the outer edges of the hub 1t) very lightly, and pulls outwardly on the end 3d of the tape, the cutting device 26 will remain substantially stationary while the reel rotates. When the desired length of tape has been pulled out, the tape is brought upwardly into engagement with the sharp cutting edge 38 and cut off. The free end of the tape will fall downwardly into an abutting position against the outer face 0f the back wall 26 of the cutting 3 device 26. Said tape free end may be easily grasped by the operator for a succeeding operation, because of the U-shaped opening 42 in the back wall, which provides a space between the tape roll 20 and said free end, Cfor keasy and quick grasping thereof.

Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention in which the tape spool head members 12a and 14a are each provided with a pair of inwardly extending grooves 44 which are adapted to form therebetween a ygroove 46, in which groove the arms 30 of the cutting device 26 may be slidably mounted.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the cutting device which may be used in conjunction with either the spool structure illustrated in Fig. 2, or with the spool structure illustrated in Fig. 4. The cutting'device of Fig. 6, which is generally designated by the numeral 48, includes an upper wall or thumb rest 50, and a pair of integral side walls 52 and 54. The cutting device 48 is provided with a bottom wall 56 which has a U-shaped opening 62 therein, to provide for easy grasping of the end of the tape. The back of the cutting device is opened, as indicated by the numeral 58, and the tape is adapted to lbe fed forwardly therethrough and out the opened front end 60 of the device. The front edge of the upper wall 50 is provided with a ydownwardly extended sharp cutting edge 63, which is adapted to cut the tape in the desired length. The top wall 50 may be provided with ya roughened or knurled surface, as 64, to prevent slippage of the operators thumb thereon. The sides 52 and 54 are each provided with a substantially vertically disposed, curved guide arm 66 and 68, respectively, which are adapted to be slidably mounted in the grooves 22 and 24. The tape cutting device 48 is adapted to function in a manner similar to the cutting device 26.

There has thus been provided, a simple and efficient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It will be obvious that the cutting device 26 may be formed from any suitable material, as from plastic, sheet metal or the like.

While it will be lapparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention herein disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising: a hub adapted to carry a xed rollof tape; a pair of spaced apart head members fixed on said hub and enclosing the roll of tape; each of said head members `being provided with an annular groove, which is ydisposed near the .outer edge of said head members; a tape cutting device slidably mounted in the annular grooves in said head members; said Vtape cutting device including a t-ape guide aperture formed through a portion thereof, through which the tape is withdrawn.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein the `annular groove on the head members extends outwardly of the head members.

3. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein the annular groove -on each head member is formed by a pair of inwardly extending projections.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said tape cutting vdevice includes a leg portion slidably mounted in said annular grooves; and a forwardly extending arm carried -by said leg and provided with a sharp cutting edge.

5. The Ainvention as set forth in claim 4, wherein said guide aperture is formed in said leg portion; and 'said leg portion has a U-shaped opening therethrough.

6. 'The Vinvention -as set forth in claim 1, wherein, 'said cutting device comprises a hollow member having an upper wall anda pair of i-ntegral side walls joined together by a bottom Vwall having a 'U-shaped opening extending from the front edge thereof; the ends of the cutting device being open; and the forward end of the lupper wall being provided with a sharp cutting edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,113,291 Bauer Oct. 13, 1'914 2,035,180 Miller Mar. 24, 1936 2,681,185 Metzler et al 'June 15, 1954 

